Kawhi Leonard continues ramp-up process with first dunk as Clippers dispatch Wizards

The Clippers never trailed on Thursday, leading by 27 at one point in the rout.

(Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The dribble moves of Kawhi Leonard can feel basic. There is nothing flashy—just a quick side-to-side dribble with a crossover.

But the prodigious power and speed Leonard can produce by simply pushing the ball toward the court and back into his mammoth hands is enough to cause even the most ardent of defenders to get off-balance and caught reaching.

That was evident in the first quarter of Thursday’s win by the LA Clippers as Leonard used that same move to beat his defender off the dribble, resulting in his first dunk of the season as he drove to the rim and finished with a right-handed slam.

Leonard, 33, ended the night with 15 points in 24 minutes.

Before Thursday’s game, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue spoke of the difference he’s seen in Leonard since the forward’s return to the lineup at the beginning of the month.

“The last two games, I thought he’s been really good,” Lue told reporters ahead of Thursday’s 110-93 win over the Washington Wizards. “Just attacking the basket, getting to his spots, playing with a pace. The first few games, he kind of just eased into it, kind of trying to feel it out and see if he can trust his knee. But now, I think, mentally he’s really passed that point where now he knows he’s healthy, that he can do things that he normally does and so hopefully we continue to stack days, practices, games, minutes, and get him to a point where he’s playing extended minutes and trusting fully.”